PORT GLAUD

 The Seychelles - the name alone conjures up images of hidden pirate treasures and a tropical island paradise. Yet even the most vivid imagination can barely touch the living beauty of these islands, discovered just two centuries ago. Spread over 400,000 square kilometres of the Indian Ocean the islands are quite literally a thousand miles from anywhere. The Seychelles manage to remain just as they were. Unhurried. Uncrowded. Unspoilt and Unique - by a thousand miles.

 The beaches rank among the very best in the world. Silver white sands stretch as far as the eye can see - and beyond - encircling the islands like a giant shimmering necklace. There are miles of white coral sands that dip invitingly into clear, warm turquoise waters. Holidaying in the Seychelles is like having a dream come true!

FREMANTLE

Fremantle is one of Western Australia’s most historic cities.  Wealth of 19th-century buildings remains, including superb examples from the gold rush period. Founded on the Indian Ocean in 1829, at the mouth of the Swan River, Fremantle was intended to be a port for the new colony, but was only used as such when an artificial harbour was dredged at the end of the 19th century. The town still has thriving harbours and, in 1987, it hosted the America’s Cup. Many sites were renovated for the event, and street cafés and restaurants sprang up. Fremantle remains forever changed by being, for once, under the world’s gaze. Today the town is renowned for its crafts markets.

 

 The charm of Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour attracts thousands of visitors each year.

 

 As Perth’s premier destination for tourists and locals, the laid-back atmosphere of Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour is perfect for day out or holiday escape. Uniquely positioned between the ocean and the sea, the harbour is surrounded by world-class restaurants featuring some of WA’s freshest seafood as well as bars, entertainment and accommodation. Each location boasts panoramic water views and offers a truly unique atmosphere.

ST LUCIA

  Lake St Lucia is the largest estuary in southern Africa. It covers some 36 000 ha. And this huge expanse of water is a nature lover's paradise. Surrounded by rare coastal forest, lily-covered pans, grasslands teeming with reedbuck and unspoilt beaches. The lake was proclaimed as a game reserve in 1895 to protect the hippo, and hundreds of these great beasts still live in its shallow waters.

The attractions of the vast lake and scenic estuary with its game reserves, hutted camps, caravan parks... and crocodiles and hippos - together with prolific bird life, and abundant fishing.

St Lucia invites visitors to sample a whole spectrum of wilderness treats: like birdwatching, skindiving, game viewing, beach exploring, hiking, or just sitting and listening to the call of the Fish Eagle as the sun sets... Situated at the mouth of the estuary is the bustling village of St Lucia.

 

 

PERTH

 Western Australia’s pretty capital is the most isolated city in the world. The city of Perth lies on the Swan River, just 20 km from where it flows into the Indian Ocean. The coastal plain on which it stands is bordered to the north and west by the Darling Range, beyond which lie the region’s wheat fields. To the south is a diverse landscape: forests with some of the tallest trees on earth, mountains that dramatically change colour during the course of each day and a spectacular coastline. The history of Perth has been one of building and rebuilding. Perth is a relatively small and quiet city compared with those on the east coast. Its main commercial and shopping areas can be easily explored on foot. The city’s atmosphere is brisk but not hurried. The city centre is bordered to the south and east by a wide stretch of the Swan River known as Perth Water, and to the north lies Northbridge, Perth’s restaurant and entertainment centre.

PERTH SKYLINE FROM KING'S PARK W. A.

In this view, the rapid development and progress of this flourishing city is symbolised by dramatic modern skyscrapers which dominate the city line.

Established at the end of the 19th century, King's Park is 400 ha of both wild and cultivated parkland. Situated on Mount Eliza, it offers views of the city and the Swan River. Most of the park is bush land, which can be seen from the DNA Tower. A landscaped parkland area on the eastern side includes the 17 ha Western Australian Botanic Garden. Treetops Walkway, a 629-m-long elevated walkway, gives another perspective of the garden. The State War Memorial on Anzac Bluff is dedicated to the Western Australians who died in the two world wars. 

Visit Perth

PORT ELIZABETH

 Only a few minutes away from the city centre, the beaches on the long graceful sweep of Algoa Bay provide unlimited opportunities throughout the year for swimming, rock and surf angling, deep sea fishing, boating, surfing and diving. The yachting fraternity tends to gravitate to Hobie Beach and the placid waters of the Swartkops River. The historic heart of the city and traditional gathering and bartering place. Trading still takes place here at the flea market on Saturday mornings. The impressive city hall dates from 1858. Steam train enthusiasts come from afar to ride on the Apple Express which runs from Port Elizabeth on a narrow gauge (610 mm) railway line to the fruit-growing valley of the Long Kloof.

Views of beach front and main beaches. Yachts sailing past beach front 

EAST LONDON

Situated on one of the most attractive stretches of coastline on the eastern seaboard, East London's broad beaches extend for miles - unpolluted, uncrowded, unspoilt. Swimming, sailing, water-skiing, boardsailing and boating are enjoyed all year round, while the river mouths, lagoons and gullies provide a paradise for fishermen. East Londoners are extremely conservation-conscious, and several well-preserved examples of the 19th century architecture enhance the charm of the city. East London Yacht Club hosts many regattas held off the coast and is the finish of the annual Vasco da Gama Yacht Race between Durban and East London. And when the sun goes down the city, there are theatres, cinemas, and a selection of restaurants to pamper the discerning palate.

MELBOURNE

Melbourne is the capital city of Victoria and one of the southern hemisphere’s largest business, cultural, sporting and recreational cities. Today Melbourne is the second-largest city in Australia and it is built on a coastal plain at the top of the giant horseshoe shaped Port Phillip Bay. Located on the southern coast of Australia’s eastern seaboard, Melbourne is perhaps Australia’s most cultured and politically conservative city. Melbourne features include Victorian-era architecture, bounteous cultural institutions museums, art galleries, theatres and spaciously landscaped parks and gardens. Melbourne’s best attractions and landmarks including beautiful gardens, impressive buildings, sporting arenas, markets and famous laneways. Melbourne was the capital city of Australia for 26 years between 1901 and 1927.

COCOS KEELING ISLANDS

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are located in the Indian Ocean 2950 kilometres north-west of Perth and 3700 kilometres west of Darwin. There are 27 coral islands in the group with a total land area of approximately 14 square kilometres. Only two of the 27 islands are inhabited. Australia's last unspoilt paradise lies in the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, kissed by the sun and caressed by fragrant trade winds.

 

Apart from North Keeling Island (declared a National Park in 1995 and is administered by Parks Australia), which is 30 kilometres from the main group, the Islands form a horseshoe-shaped atoll surrounding a lagoon. The people of the Cocos Keeling Islands voted to become part of Australia in 1984.

 

On the stamps:

• The Herald Petrel (Pterodroma arminjoniana) is a medium-sized bird belonging to the Procellariidae family. It is a sea bird and spends much of its life on or above the ocean, only really visiting nesting grounds during breeding season.

• Home Island - located across the lagoon and just a short ferry ride away, this unique part of the Cocos Keeling Islands is a must-see for visitors. Home of the Cocos Malay people, the island offers a complete contrast to West Island.

 

Received from Cocos Keeling Islands Visitor Centre

CHRISTMAS ISLAND

Christmas Island is an island in the Indian Ocean, about 1,400 km northwest of Australia. Captain William Mynors of the East India Ship Company vessel, the Royal Mary, named the island when he arrived on Christmas Day, 25th December, 1643. It is administered as an external territory of Australia. The island is the summit of an oceanic mountain whose highest point on the island is Murray Hill, rising to 361 metres in the western part of the island. The island is only 52 square-miles in area. The main settlement and chief port is at Flying Fish Cove on the northeastern part of the island.

 Flying Fish Cove

Christmas Island is an impressive feat of nature full of natural wonders including red crab migrations, exotic birds and wonderfully deserted beaches who are only disturbed by nesting sea turtles. Fourteen species of land crab call Christmas Island home, but the red crab is by far the most famous. The narrow tropical reef that surrounds the island is laced with unspoiled corals and schools of colourful fish like anemones, butterfly fish, wrasse, surgeon and more. Occasionally, even sharks come up to divers to take a curious look.

fabulous stamps

Received from Christmas Island Tourism Association

MOSSEL BAY

Mossel Bay is situated exactly half way between Cape Town - the provincial capital of the Western Cape Province – and Port Elizabeth (both 400 km away). This popular holiday town is surrounded by a sunbathed peninsula and the refreshing waters of the Indian Ocean. It is a busy summer destination as well as an ideal winter retreat. It is blessed with a mild climate all year round but its most important feature is its status as the historical capital of the Garden Route.
Site of the first landfall made by the Portuguese explorer Bartholomeu Dias in 1488 and today a popular holiday resort with fine beaches and much else to offer the tourist. The Batholomeu Dias Museum Complex comprises historical, maritime and shell museums. Launch trips are offered to nearby Seal Island with its noisy population of some 2,000 seals as well as gannets and cormorants.

 

 

Mossel Bay has become the preferred holiday destination of local and international tourists alike and offers great fishing and safe swimming

Received from Lu-Gerda by The Post Office Tree.  For more information about Mossel Bay visit her blog Lu-Gerda's Travels.

ROTTNEST ISLAND

Rottnest Island, 18 kilometres west of Freemantle, is Perth's favourite holiday destination. First settled in 1830, the island has had an interesting history, first as a prison, then for coastal defence and later as a holiday residence for the state Governors. Rottnest Island offers endless possibilities! An ‘A’ Class Nature Reserve and widely regarded as one of Western Australia’s “best kept secrets”, it is home to some of the most spectacular white sandy beaches, secluded bays, unique wildlife including the world famous Quokka and a colony of New Zealand Fur Seals, ship wrecks and a fascinating and colourful history. Rottnest Island has something for everyone!

Website: Rottnest Island

 Rottnest Ferry, Western Australia

Rottnest Express is Rottnest Island’s largest and most experienced cruise company, operating daily year-round ferry services from Perth and Fremantle. The crossing from Fremantle to Rottnest is renowned for being one of the roughest in the southern hemisphere. Today Rottnest Express is known for its smooth, fast and safe crossings in any conditions. 

ADELAIDE

 The South Australian capital of Adelaide is a most attractive city, and unusual in that it was carefully planned from its beginning in 1836. Surrounded by parkland, bisected by the River Torrens, and with an orderly grid of central city streets, Adelaide was the vision of surveyor Colonel William Light. The city's one million residents enjoy a Mediterranean-style climate and a relatively peaceful lifestyle. The inner city of Adelaide is best explored on foot; it is compact, well laid out and flat. The balmy climate and excellent local food and wine have given rise to an abundance of streetside restaurants and cafés.

 

 Adelaide O'bahn. This card shows 'O'Bahn' track that buses go on and off of to travel faster

 

The South Australian capital was founded by free settlers and Adelaide prides  itself on its convict-less history. Surrounded by the gentle Adelaide Hills and the gulf, this is perhaps the nation's most attractive capital. Adelaide has a multicultural population of of just over a million and the city has gained a reputation as an important centre for the arts.

Read more: City of Adelaide

 

 

Received from Rosemaree

 

DURBAN

The slogan 'Durban - Where the Fun Never Sets' is particularly apt when applied to the Golden Mile. Sumptuous  hotels command superlative views of the sea; restaurants represent every facet of the city's cosmopolitan nature; discos, night clubs and coffee bars scintillate until late. Durban offers a subtropical carnival atmosphere, endless summer, an effervescent ocean lined with golden beaches, and thousands of pleasure options.

The "Golden Mile" begins to glitter as night approaches and the many entertainment venues come alive.

The city is an intriguing blend of East, West and Africa.
On the palm-fringed beachfront where the chic rich stroll, Zulu women sell baubles and baskets, and colourful ricksha pullers pose for photographers. And within a stone's throw of the office blocks, the theatres and shops of the business centre, you will discover a world of mosques, temples, oriental festivals and bazaars, fragrant with spice and incense. The cosmopolitan vibe is further enhanced by a constant floating tourist population. It's a centre of commerce and industry. It runs the busiest harbour in Africa. 

Dolphin and trainer often play together.

Durban's got the lot. From world championship surfing, a military tattoo and the country's most glamorous horse race to Indian temples, street entertainers, nature trails and the fastest growing time-share developments in the country.

Received from Lynne, Cape Town